Flu level 'higher than expected'

Northern Ireland is experiencing a higher than expected level of flu cases, the deputy chief medical officer has said.

Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said people who are ill with the cold or flu should not visit patients in hospital.

She said the number of cases this December was the "highest since the millennium".

She said people who were already ill in hospital could experience serious complications if they caught the flu.

"The flu is a highly contagious infection and you will only put others at risk," she said.

She said in one week just before the Christmas holiday 196 people per 100,000 of population had attended GP surgeries with flu or flu-like symptoms.

Dr Mitchell said in December 2006 the numbers "were more like 100 per 100,000".

She said the winter flu was an unpleasant experience "but for more vulnerable groups, it can lead to complications that are more serious".

"This is certainly the case for patients who are already ill in hospital," she said.

"Although I fully understand that relatives and friends want to visit their loved ones during the festive and new year period, I would ask that if you are ill, please stay at home and only visit hospital once you have made a full recovery."

She said the flu was caused by a virus and ordinary antibiotics will not be effective in treating the infection.

"Medical advice should only be sought if symptoms become severe or last more than about a week," she said.

"However those who already have a chronic or long standing illness may need medical attention earlier."

Advice for flu sufferers

To reduce the risk of spreading the flu